Tang Dynasty Lady Appraisal

Sancai-Style Glazed Ceramic Figure of a Tang Dynasty Lady

This item is a ceramic decorative figurine depicting a standing female figure in traditional Chinese Tang Dynasty attire. The figure stands approximately 8 to 10 inches tall and is constructed from a light-colored ceramic, likely earthenware or a low-fire stoneware. It features a distinctive 'Sancai' (three-color) lead-based glaze palette consisting of amber, green, and cream/white drips, with additional blue detailing along the vertical folds of the skirt. The lady is depicted with her hands clasped in front of her chest holding a small box or musical instrument. Her face is pale and finely painted with delicate black eyes and red lips, surmounted by a high black bun (chignon) adorned with a small red ornament. The glaze shows characteristic pooling and streaking effects, particularly on the sleeves and hem. In terms of condition, there is a visible price sticker on the chest which may leave adhesive residue. There are minor surface scuffs, small pits in the glaze, and slight wear to the cold-painted facial features and hair. While styled after 8th-century tomb figures, the crispness of the mold and the specific glaze application suggest this is a mid-to-late 20th-century reproduction or 'tribute' piece rather than an ancient artifact. The craftsmanship displays a blend of mold-formed mass production and hand-painted finishing.